“My goal here is to get it right,” Schmit, DFL-Red Wing, said of crafting a response to the “gold rush” silica-sand fever perceives in the mining industry.

Schmit, in his bill, would create a new Southeast Minnesota Silica Sand Board composed of county and state officials charged with developing minimum standards for silica-sand mining. Local governments could opt-out.

Local governments that adopt the minimum standards would be eligible for an enhanced silica-sand production tax for local roads and bridges, cleaning up abandoned pits and quarries, and other mining-related expenses.

Republicans objected to specifying the use of the tax dollars, but Sen. Bev Scalze, DFL-Little Canada, defended it, saying it assured that the money wouldn’t wind up being spent on building additions.

“So I would recommend leaving it,” she said.

The legislation would also create a state silica-sand production tax — tax amounts are not currently specified in the bill — on imports of silica sand from other states.

It directs the Environmental Quality Board to complete a generic environment impact statement (GEIS) on silica-sand mining, transportation and processing.

The GEIS, which state mining industry officials argue is needless — all mining operations are different, they say — is to be completed by May, 2014.

A year later, state agencies would adopt the rule changes identified in the GEIS.

All local mining permits thereafter would need to be consistent with the GEIS findings.

As a week ago, members of the public from southeast Minnesota — home of the finest silica sand in the world, Schmit declared — appeared in support of legislation.

Jeanne Pietig, a Wabasha County planning and zoning commission member, said local government is not equipped to monitor the silica-sand industry.

“Absolutely not,” Pietig said, speaking as a private citizen.

Fillmore County Preble Township Member David Williams said while local government officials have prepared for the silica-sand boom there was dire need for state involvement.

Mining industry officials repeatedly stressed support for strong state standards, but argued the legislation was overkill.

Scott Sustacek, of Jordan Sands, pointing to the tan stone of the State Capitol committee room and saying it was mined by the company a century ago in Mankato, said silica sand is found under the stone in its quarry.

The want to develop the 70-acre site, but the bill would bring the plan to a “screeching halt,” he said.

Also, taxing silica sand in Minnesota would put producers at a disadvantage against producers in Wisconsin, he argued.